Mars Snacking expansion – summary
- Mars adds 600 Chicago jobs following major Kellanova acquisition
- New Chicago offices consolidate leadership teams and accelerate innovation efforts
- Move strengthens Mars presence within growing urban food innovation ecosystem
- Centralisation supports faster decision making and deeper North American collaboration
- Expansion signals confidence in resilient snacking demand and future category growth
Mars Snacking, a division of Mars, Inc., has announced the creation of 600 new jobs at its global headquarters in Chicago.
The move follows Mars’ $36bn acquisition of Kellanova in December 2025 – one of the biggest food and beverage deals of the decade.
The confectionery and snacking giant, known for big-name brands including M&M’s, Maltesers, Mars, and Snickers, will open new offices in the former headquarters of newly-acquired Kellanova, alongside a regional office hub in the city’s Fulton Market District.
The new locations will house the company’s North American Region, Accelerator Division, and Global Functions teams.
“Chicago has long been a hub for our business, and now it is our official home for our North America region and our Accelerator Division – firmly establishing our legacy and our future together,” says Andrew Clarke, global president of Mars Snacking. “The Chicagoland area offers the best of all worlds for Mars Snacking – a vibrant urban environment, strong communities and access to world-class talent. We are proud to deepen our roots here, advance the Mars Snacking business, and continue our long-standing commitment to community engagement and responsible business.”
Mars’ and the future of snacking
The move signals a significant strategic step for Mars as it continues to sharpen its competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic snacking landscape.
For the wider industry, Mars’ expansion underscores the continued resilience and growth of the snacking sector. As consumer demand for convenience, indulgence, and better‑for‑you options accelerates, major players are doubling down on innovation pipelines, data‑driven insights, and product agility.
Together, these shifts point to an industry entering a fresh cycle of competition and reinvention. And with Mars now consolidating talent, capital and innovation under one roof, the company is positioning itself not just to keep pace with that change, but to help define where the snacking category goes next.
